Planning ahead is imperative to owners wanting to capitalize on the couples who will dine in their restaurant.  Line up enough staff to handle the workload seamlessly, or at least make it look like a well-oiled machine—organized chaos, as some have called the waltz of the restaurant staff when they are “in the weeds.”  Plan for seating, as most diners will be coming in as parties of just two—and you will need to accommodate that without causing your wait list to explode.  Will your four-top tables split down into two?  If not, what other creative options may you have to modify your seating?  Plan your menu according to the rush you are sure to have and what your kitchen staff can handle.  Deborah Schneider, chef of Sol Cocina in Newport Beach, says that “a wise chef will offer their regular menu and add a few engaging Valentine’s specials.”  While this is a choice of many establishments, others opt for a complete menu shift, offering a fixed-price multiple-course meal to their diners in order to allow their kitchen to smoothly handle the craziness that accompanies a full and busy restaurant.  Some opt to keep their menu unchanged, but provide discounts to drive traffic through their doors.  Still others, especially in smaller neighborhood establishments, use the special day to encourage long-term loyalty by extending a la carte choices at a great price so patrons can sample multiple items, maybe discover new favorites, and ensure their return at a later date.  Other popular ideas include Valentine-themed items such pink cocktails, heart-shaped pasta, champagnes, or roses for sale on their premises.  There are even restaurants who will cater to the lovebirds who come to dine with their nest of children, offering deeply discounted kids’ meal prices or dessert favorites for the younger foodies.

Lastly, though Valentine’s Day is certainly a day that caters to sweethearts, many restaurant owners seize the opportunity to indulge the anti-amorous, with promotions designed to draw in those flying solo on this .  Special cocktail concoctions such as shots of “Love Stinks”—a mixture of grape vodka, raspberry liqueur, and cranberry juice—or “Love on the Rocks”—a creation of vodka, peach schnapps, orange and pomegranate juice over ice—are sure to help ease the pang of loneliness when one finds themselves dateless on the biggest date night of the year.

Opportunities abound for big sales for the Saturday night Valentine’s Day.  The key is to be sure to show the love—by being prepared for big business and by offering what your guests are looking for.  Plan carefully, and make sure that your every move reflects your appreciation of the portion of that $10 billion that gets thrown your way.  Your goal, after all, is a happy patron who will gladly return in the very near future.  How will you earn their loyalty?

The post Show the Love this Valentine’s Day appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Photo courtesy of Courtney Stroup

Ingredients

½ c butter

2 c heavy cream

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

3 c freshly grated parmesan

2-3 tsp tomato paste

16 oz pasta, prepared per package directions

Melt butter in a medium skillet and add garlic. Cook until garlic it is just soft. Add cream and simmer for at least 5 minutes. Add cheese and stir to blend. Add tomato paste. (If desired level of “pink” is not achieved with tomato paste, add a few drops of red food coloring). Pour sauce over pasta and garnish as desired.

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